Crucible support



Dec. 31, 1940. R y 2,226,652

.CRUCIBLE SUPPORT Original Filed Dec. 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 31, 1940. R. D, YORK CRUCIBLE SUPPORT Original Filed Dec. 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /6 J6 PAYMQND Q YOQK \QIRM M Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CRUCIBLE SUPPORT Raymond D. York, University, Va., assignor to Raymond D. York, as trustee 14 Claims. (01. 2282) This invention relates to a crucible support and is a division of my copending application Serial No. 246,236, filed December 16, 1938.

In my copending application referred to I have A disclosed a crucible support adapted for use with relatively heavy crucibles and having means associated therewith to facilitate the tilting of the crucible to a pouring position, together with means normally latching the crucible against 10 tilting movement, and means for connecting a handle to the tilting structure to facilitate the pouring of the crucible, the handle having means for preventing accidental dislodgement thereof during the pouring operation.-

15 An important object of the present invention is to provide screw actuated means of a novel type for moving the jaws into engagement with the crucible.

A further object is to provide such a mechanism 20 in combination with other related features whereby the jaw operating mechanism and associated parts combine to form a rigid unitary tilting structure particularly adapted for use with relatively large heavy crucibles.

A further object is to provide a pair of levers having crucib1e-engaging jaws at their lower ends, a supporting structure for the levers and screw actuated means for operating the levers to move the jaws into engagement with the crucible, the

30 screw means being associated with the supporting structure to be positioned thereby and to facilitate the uniting of the parts into a unitary tilting structure when it is desired to pour metal from the crucible.

35 A further object is to provide such a combined structure with means for supporting the crucible supporting structure for tilting movement to facilitate the pouring of the metal from the crucible.

40 Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

45 Figure 1 is a front elevation of the mechanism showing a crucible supported thereby.

Figure 2 is a, sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 50 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1, parts being shown in elevation and parts being broken away,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 55 of Figure l, and,

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the crucible-engaging jaw elements.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l0 designates a crucible supported by an article supporting unit indicated as a whole by the numeral 10 l I. This unit is rotatably carried by a supporting structure indicatedas a whole by the numeral 12 for turning or tilting movement relative thereto in a manner to be described.

The supporting unit ll comprises a vertical 15 member I3 and oppositely projecting integral parallel horizontal members l4 rigidly formed on the lower end thereof. The ends of the horizontal members M are turned downwardly to provide depending pairs of spaced vertical members I6.

A pair of arms l8 are respectively pivoted to the pairs of vertical members [6 by bolts 20, each arm l8 lying between the members of the associated pair l6 for a purpose to be described. Crucible gripping members 2| are carried by the lower ends 20 of the arms l8 and are movable into or out of engagement with the crucible l0 upon pivotal movement of the arms l8 about the pivot bolts 20. The members 2| are detachably connected to the arms l8 in a manner to be described.

A shaft 23 is provided to effect pivotal movement of the arms l8 and. a consequent movement of the' crucible gripping members 2i into or out of engagement with the crucible Ill. The vertical member [3 of the supporting unit ll provides a journal 24 for the shaft 23. Endwise movement of the shaft 23 relative to the vertical member I3 is prevented by collars 25 which are secured to the shaft 23 by pins 21, the collars 25 abutting vertical faces of the member I3. The respective ends 29 and 30 of the shaft 23 are threaded in opposite directions toprovide conventional right hand threads on the end 29 and left hand threads on the end 30. The shaft 23 is preferably squared at both ends as at 3| in order that a wrench may be used at either end of the shaft to rotate it.

Trunnion cradles 33 are provided on the respective upper ends of the arms l8; Each of the trunnion cradles 33 is provided with spaced pairs of vertical members 35 to receive trunnions 35. The trunnions are carried by sleeves 31 internally threaded for engagement with the threaded portions of the shaft 23. Bolts 40 extend through the members 35 transversely of the trunnions 36 to prevent disengagement thereof from the respective cradles 33 and 34.

By reason of the oppositely threaded ends 29 and 30 of the shaft 23 having engagement with the internally threaded sleeves 31, it will be apparent that rotation of the shaft 23 will cause pivotal movement of the members I 8 about the bolts 25 in a manner which will effect simultaneous movement of the crucible gripping members 2| into or out of engagement with the crucible Ill.

The gripping members 2| are frictionally engageable with the sides of the crucible I and have their gripping surfaces shaped to conform to the shape of the crucible. Each of the gripping members 2I is removably secured to the lower ends of one pair of the members I8 in order that various sizes of the gripping members may be used according to the crucible to be supported thereby. Each of the gripping members H is provided with a pair of lugs 4I spaced from each other a distance approximately equal to the thickness of each of the members I8. Abutments 42 are formed on the lower ends of the members I8 and for the purpose of providing a key fit of the lugs 4I with the abutments 42, it

. will be noted that the contacting faces of these elements slope inwardly and upwardly as at 43 toward the article to be engaged. Openings 44 are formed in the members I8 to receive wedges 4.5 which are driven into engagement with the upper edges of the lugs ii to securely hold the lower edges thereof in engagementwith the abutments '52. The mechanism for detachably securing the gripping members to their supporting members is illustrated and described in my copending application Serial No. 232,085, filed September 27, 1938.

'Means are preferably provided to properly position the members 2| with respect to the side of the crucible. To this end, an adjustable positioning plate 46 is provided which may be brought into contact with the top 41 of the crucible. Pairs of fingers -48 are formed on the plate 46 and are spaced to provide elongated slots-49, The fingers 43 are positioned and slidable between the members I4 in order that the plate 46 and the top of the crucible 4! will be properly positioned relative to the supporting unit II according to the size of the crucible to be supported. To secure the plate 46 to the arms I4, bolts areprovided which pass through the slots 49. The-bolts 50 are provided with enlarged rectangular heads 5I which frictionally engage the fingers 48 as at 52. Openings are provided in one of the arms I4 corresponding to the shape of the heads 5| to prevent turning movement of the bolts 5|! relative to the members It. Nuts 53 are provided for the purpose of securely clamping the fingers 48 and plate '46 in any desired position according to the size of the crucible to be used. The mechanism for positioning the gripping members relative to the top 4! of the crucible I0 is described in my above mentioned copending application.

In order that the crucible Ifl after its removal from a furnace may be tilted to pour molten metal therefrom, it is desirable to connect the supporting unit I I for turning movement relative tothe supporting structure I2. To this end, a trunnion 54 is preferably formed integral with each pair of vertical members I6. The trunnions 54 are provided with circumferential grooves 55 which provide circular trackways for the lower looped ends of substantially U-shaped members 56 connecting the crucible supporting unit II to the supporting structureIZin a manner to be described.

The supporting structure I2 comprises a horizcn'tal member 58 provided with an eye 59 which may be connected to a hook 30 of any suitable lifting apparatus. The members 56 are formed from metal rods which are doubled back on themselves and are suspended from the horizontal member 58 by nuts 6|. Lock nuts 62 are provided to prevent upward movement of the members 55 relative to the horizontal member 58. By doubling the rods 56 back oneach other, the ends of each rod, which are connected to the horizontal member 58, are parallel to and spaced from each other and the mid-portions 63 are formed in the shape of a semi-circle for sliding engagement with the groove 55. Spacing members 65 are connected between the parallel portions of each of the members 55 immediately above the trunnions 54 to prevent any spreading motion of the parallel portions of the members 55 adjacent the trunnions 54 which would permit disengagement of the semi-circular portions of the members 56 from the circular grooves 55.

It will be seen that the above described arrangement provides a pivotal support in the nature of a trunnion for the crucible supporting unit I I. However; it is desirable that the crucible supporting unit II may be rotated relative to the supporting structure I2 with a minimum of effort and, accordingly, the horizontal axis 66 of the trunnions 54 about which the turning movement takes place is preferably located adjacent the center of gravity of the supporting unit II and the crucible I0 supported thereby. Moreover, it is desirable that the unit I I and the crucible I!) normally occupy a vertical position relative to the supporting structure I2 and, accordingly, the horizontal axis 66 is preferably located slightly above the center of gravity of the unit II and the crucible I0 supported therey.

A handle 61 is provided to enable an operator to tilt the crucible for the purpose of pouring molten metal therefrom. The handle 6I has a cylindrical opening 68 formed in one end thereof for engagement with a member 5?] projecting from the vertical member I3 of the supporting unit I I. The member 69 is secured to the vertical member I3 by any suitable means such as the rivets Ill.

A collar II is formed on the end of the handle 5? and is engageable with a detent I2 to prevent disengagement of the lever 6I from the member 69 during that time in which the crucible In is tilted to pour metal therefrom. The detent I2 is pivotally connected to the vertical member I3 by a pivot pin I3 and is provided with a counterweight I4 which will maintain the point I2 of the detent I2 in constant engagement with the handle 67. Any disengaging movement of the lever 61 from its support 69 will operate to jamb the collar II against the point I2 of the detent I2, and to remove the lever 61 it will first be necessary to raise the counterweight I4 and thereby allow the collar -II to clear the point 12' on the detent I2. It will-be apparent that this arrangement will securely prevent disengagement of the lever- 61 from the member 69.

During the removal of the crucible I0 from a furnace, it is desirable to provide means for retaining the unit II in a substantially vertical position relative to the supporting structure I2. To this end, an abutment I5 is preferably formed integral with the horizontal member 58 for the'purpose of preventing turning movement of the unit II to the right, as'v-iewed in Figure 4, at all times. A gravity actuated pawl I6 is also connected to the horizontal member 58 for normally preventing turning movement of'the unit dle 61 to the member 69, the point 12' on the detent "will have been in engagement with the i II in the opposite direction. yThepawl 16 is mounted on the-horizontalmember 58 by a plate 11 which permits sliding movement of the pawl 16 relative to the horizontal member 58.. A handle 18 is provided to enable anfioperatorv to raise the pawl 16 to permit .turningmovement of the unit If to the left,'as viewed in Figure 4.

The plate 11 is provided with a slot 19 through which the handle 18 protrudeswhereby manual actuation of the pawl 16 will "berpermittedn In order that the unit ll maybe returned to its normal vertical position and locked in such position without the necessity; of actuating the pawl or latch 16, the upper surface 8lljof thev .member 13 is inclined to provide a cam surface as shown in Figure 4. The bottom. edge.8l of the 'pawl 16 has a similar inclination oris rounded to secure a camming action which will cause the'pawl 16 to automatically ride up the surface upon return of 'theunit' ll torits normal vertical position. It will be" apparent that.

the latch-I6 will drop to lock the unit-l I in its normal vertical position as soon as such position is reached. 1

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The plate 46 is adjusted in order that the gripping members 2-! will be properly positioned relative to the sides of the crucible. When the parts of the apparatus are in normal position, the latch 16 will be operative to prevent turning movement of the crucible supporting unit ll relative to the sup orting structure l2.

The mechanism may be lowered bythe hook 60 until the plate 46 contacts the upper edge 41 of the crucible ID. The mechanism will then be in a position for the gripping members 2| to properly engage the sides of the crucible ID.

This is accomplished by applying a wrench to either end 3| of the shaft 23 and rotating this shaft to cause movement of the trunnions- 361 away from each other. It will be noted'that the shaft 23 has its polygonal ends 3| arranged between the arms 56 of the respective pairs of supporting rods, thus facilitatingthe application of a wrench to either of the polygonal ends of the shaft. Outward movement of thetrunnions 36 in the manner described will impart a similar movementto the cradles 33 on the respective upper ends of the pivotallymounted members l8 whereby the crucible gripping members 2l on movement; and this is compensated for by, the. slots provided between the pairs of vertical mem-.

bers .35, the :trunnions 36 being-capable .of pars taking of relative verticalmovement Within, rea-' sonable limits between the members 35...;

When-it is desired to 'tiltthecrucible for the purpose. of pouring molten metaltherefrom, the: operator will slip the open end 68 of theyhandle? 61 downwardly. over. the projecting :member 69 securedflto the supporting unit H. It will heap-1x parent thatprior to such application of the-ham.

member 39:. Upon downward, movement of the handle fil'relativeto the. member 69, the collar H will contact the detent l2 and cam the same out of engagement with the member 69. As soon as the collar TH passes the point 12' on the detentlz, the counterweight 14 will cause a pivotal movement-of the detent I2 into engagement with the handle 61 at a point above-the collar H. In this position,- it will be apparent that the detent 1'2 will' beoperable to prevent accidental. disengagement of the lever 51' from the member 69.

Bef0re:a turning ortilting movement can be imparted to :the crucible supporting unit H relative to the supporting structure l2,'it will be necessary for the operator to raise the-1 handle 18 and latch 16. Afterreleasing the latch 16 from engagement with the crucible supporting unit I I, the latter and the crucible supported thereby may be rotated to a position such asthat shown in dotted lines in Figure 4' for the purpose of pouring molten metal.

Particularattention' is invited to the latching; of the handle 61 to .theprojection 69. I am aware that detachable handles have been used with prior constructions for tilting crucibles to pouring position, but such prior constructions have been found to be highly disadvantageous. When an operator. grasps a crucible-tilting: handle when the latter is in such a position as the solid line position shown in Figure 4, a downward pull on the handle tends. more firmly to engage the handle with the projectionBQ-or corresponding element. When thepouring position is reached, however, it has been found that with prior constructions an operator sometimes will accidentally or care-v lessly exert a pull on the handle in thedirection of the free end thereof; In prior constructions, therefore, handles. have become disconnected from the crucible-supporting means,- thus permitting the crucible to suddenly swing back toward its normal or vertical position, resulting-in the splashing of molten metal fromthe crucible and frequently resulting. in injury to the operator.

It obviouslyis desirable that the operator exert a force atrightangles to the handle 61 to tilt the crucible, and if this operation is carefully performed, there is no danger that the handle will become detached. carelessness in handling an apparatus of this character is frequent, however, and in order to prevent injury to an operator or other-nearby workman, the present construction provides meansfor positively preventing accidental detachment of the handle 61 from theprojection B9. Regardless of any endwise pull on thehandle 69,.the engagementof the flange H with the detent 12 will positively prevent detachment-of the handle, and accordingly the crucible cannot swing back to its normal positionexcept under the control of the operator. Thus the apparatus provides means for preventing serious and painful injuries to operators.

Particularattention is invited to the screw actuating means for the levers l8 and the elements associated therewith. The shaft 23 is ro-- tatably supported and positioned by the vertical member l3,which is a rigid part of the supporting unit H. When the upper ends of the levers I8 are moved outwardly and the jaws 2| engagethe crucible,-.theI shaft 23 formsan effective connection between the upper ends of the levers l8 and the supporting unit I I, thus assisting in providing a tiltingrxunitthe parts of which are very effi-' cientlyrigidly fixed with respect to each other.;

This rigidity of the elements of the tilting unit with respect to each other is increased by the arrangement of the levers l8 between the arms is of the respective pair at opposite sides of the supporting unit.

Referring to Figure 3 it will be noted that the levers I8 are only provided with clearance between the elements to which they are connected, and when a pull is exerted on the handle 61 (Figure 4) the arrangement of the parts referred to effectively prevents any tilting movement of the members 14 and 16 with respect to the levers Hi. It is highly important in a structure intended for handling heavy crucibles that the parts be rigidly positioned with respect to each other, and this is accomplished in the present mechanism with a relatively simple construction.

After a pouring operation has been completed, the operator may reduce the pull on the handle 61 to permit the parts to swing back to their normal position. As such position is approached, the cam face 88 will engage and lift the latch 16, and when the vertical member l3 reaches its normal position, the latch 16 will drop to operative position and the entire crucible supporting unit II will be prevented from swinging. The handle may be readily detached, when desired, by manually lifting the counterweight 14 to move the detent '52 away from the flange l I, whereupon the handle may be moved endwise to disconnect it from the projection 69.

It will be apparent that the apparatus herein illustrated and described furnishes a convenient means for supporting a crucible. By having the crucible supporting mechanism rotatably mounted with respect to a supporting structure, a convenient means for pouring molten metal from the crucible is provided. In addition, the locking mechanism is effective to prevent any uncontrolled movement of the crucible supporting unit relative to the supporting structure.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. I

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure, a pair of members provided with article gripping devices on the lower ends thereof, each of said members being pivotally connected to said structure to swing on horizontal axes, and actuating mechanism for said members comprising a threaded shaft, and means directly connecting said shaft to the upper ends of said members whereby rotation of said shaft will cause movement of said gripping devices toward or away from each other.

2. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure, a pair of members provided with article gripping devices on the lower ends thereof, each of said members being pivotally connected to said structure to swing on horizontal axes, and actuating mechanism for said members comprising a shaft having oppositely threaded ends and means directly connecting the upper ends of said members to the ends of said shaft respectively whereby rotation of said shaft will cause movement of the gripping devices toward or away from each other.

3. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure, a pair of members provided withv article gripping devices on the lower ends thereof, .each of said members being pivotally connected to said structure, and actuating mechanism for said members comprising a shafthaving oppositely threaded ends, a-pair of sleeves each having trunnions and being threaded on one end of said shaft, and a trunnion-cradle formed on the upper end of each of said members, said trunnion-cradles carrying said trunnions whereby rotation of said shaft will cause movement of said gripping devices toward or away from each other.

4. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding member, a pair of levers provided with article gripping devices at their lower ends, said levers being pivotally connected to said structure, and actuating mechanism for said levers comprising a shaft rotatably supported intermediate its ends by said upstanding member, and means connecting said shaft on opposite sides of said upstanding member to the upper ends of said levers whereby rotation of said shaft will cause movement of said gripping devices toward and away from each other.

5. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding member, a pair of levers provided with article gripping devices at their lower ends, said levers being pivotally connected to said structure, and actuating mechanism for said levers comprising a shaft rotatably supported intermediate its ends by said upstanding member, the ends of said shaft being oppositely threaded, and a sleeve threaded on each end of said shaft and connected to the upper end of one of said levers whereby rotation of said shaft will cause movement of said gripping devices toward and away from each other.

6. A device of the character described com,- prising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding memberand a pair of spaced depending arm structures each of which is formed of a pair of parallel elements, a pair of levers having article gripping devices at their lower ends, each lever being pivotally connected to one of said arm structures and mounted between the parallel elements'thereof, and means for moving the upper ends of said levers toward and away from each other to effect similar movement of said gripping devices.

7. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding member and a pair of spaced depending arm structures each of which is formed of a pair of parallel elements, a pair of levers having ardevices toward and away from each other.

8. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding member and a pair of spaced depending arm structures each of which is formed of a pair of parallel elements, a pair of levers having article gripping devices at their lower ends, each lever being pivotally connected to one of said arm structures and mounted between the parallel elements thereof, and actuating mechanism for said levers comprising a shaft rotatably supported by said upstanding member and fixed with respect thereto against axial movement, and means connecting said shaft to the upper ends of said levers whereby rotation of said shaft will cause movement of said gripping devices toward and away from each other.

9. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding member and a pair of spaced depending arm structures each of which is formed of a pair of parallel elements, a pair of levers having article gripping devices at their lower ends, each lever being pivotaliy connected to one of said arm structures and mounted between the parallel elements thereof, and actuating mechanism for said levers comprising a shaft rotatably supported by said upstanding member and fixed with respect thereto against axial movement, the end portions of said shaft being oppositely threaded, and a sleeve threaded on each end of said shaft and connected to the upper end of one of said levers whereby rotation of said shaft will cause movement of said gripping devices toward and away from each other.

10. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding member and a pair of spaced depending arm structures each of which is formed of a pair of parallel elements, a pair of levers having article gripping devices at their lower ends, each lever being pivotally connected to one of said arm structures and mounted between the parallel elements thereof, and actuating mechanism for said levers comprising a shaft rotatably supported by said upstanding member and fixed with respect thereto against axial movement, the end portions of said shaft being oppositely threaded, a sleeve threaded on each end portion of said shaft and provided with outstanding trunnions, and a connection on the upper end of each lever receiving the trunnions of the adjacent sleeve whereby said sleeves will actuate said levers upon rotation of said shaft to effect movement of said gripping devices toward and away from each other.

11. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding member and a pair of depending spaced arms, a pair of levers provided with article gripping devices at their lower ends, said levers being respectively pivotally connected to the lower ends of said arms to swing in a commhn vertical plane, a shaft arranged approximately in the plane of said levers, said shaft being pivotally supported by said upstanding member and fixed thereby against axial movement, the ends of said shaft being oppositely threaded, means connecting the respective ends of said shaft to the upper ends of said levers to impart swinging movement thereto upon rotation of said shaft, and means arranged wholly outwardly of said arms and said levers for supporting them for bodily rocking movement on a horizontal axis approximately in the plane of swinging movement of said levers.

12. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding member and a pair of depending spaced arms, a pair of levers provided with ar ticle gripping devices at their lower ends, said levers being respectively pivotally connected to the lower ends of said arms to swing in a common vertical plane, a shaft arranged approximately in the plane of said levers, said shaft being pivotally supported by said upstanding member and fixed thereby against axial movement, the ends of said shaft being oppositely threaded, a sleeve threaded on each end of said shaft, a connection between each sleeve and the upper end of the adjacent lever whereby axial movement of said sleeves incident to rotation of said shaft will effect swinging movement of said levers, and means arranged wholly outwardly of said arms and said levers for supporting them for bodily swinging movement on a horizontal axis lying approximately in the plane of swinging movement of said levers.

13. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding member and a pair of depending spaced arms, a pair of levers provided with article gripping devices at their lower ends, said levers being respectively pivotally connected to the lower ends of said arms to swing in a common vertical plane, a shaft arranged approximately in the plane of said levers, said shaft being pivotally supported by said upstanding member and fixed thereby against axial movement, the ends of said shaft being oppositely threaded, means connecting the respective ends of said shaft to the upper ends of said levers to impart swinging movement thereto upon rotation of said shaft, trunnions fixed with respect to said supporting structure and having a common horizontal axis lying approximately in the plane of swinging movement of said levers and arranged wholly outwardly of said arms and said levers, and means rotatably supporting said trunnions.

14. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a rigid upstanding member and a pair of depending spaced arms, a pair of levers provided with article gripping devices at their lower ends, said levers being respectively pivotally connected to the lower ends of said arms to swing in a common vertical plane, a shaft arranged approximately in the plane of said levers, said shaft being pivotally supported by said upstanding member and fixed thereby against axial movement, the ends of said shaft being oppositely threaded, a sleeve threaded on each end of said shaft, a connection between each sleeve and the upper end of the adjacent lever whereby axial movement of said sleeves incident to rotation of said shaft will effect swinging movement of said levers, trunnions fixed with respect to said supporting structure and having a common horizontal axis lying approximately in the plane of swinging movement of said levers and arranged wholly outwardly of said arms and said levers, and means rotatably supporting said trunnions.

RAYMOND D. YORK. 

